Turning heels on the runway to boots on the ground.

 

Our Past Events

Spring in Full Bloom (2021)

We were only 6 weeks into the pandemic when the board of Violets’ Giving Circle chose this theme. We were drawn to the optimism exclusively felt in Spring, a time marked by light after a significant period of darkness.

Our 2021 event was during a year when we fought two simultaneous pandemics, one dominated by staggering loss and chaos and the other pandemic marked by our society’s reckoning with inequality. Although this event looked different from past ones, planned entirely on Zoom, it was also our first year including film and photography!

We hosted it in an old-fashioned drive-in movie theater, socially distanced and masked, as a reminder that regardless of our physically-distanced locations, our need to be there for people remains the same.

Guest Judges: Jennifer Garner (actress from 13 Going on 30, Alias, Dallas Buyers Club), Cass Bird (artist, director, and photographer featured in The New York Times Magazine, Rolling Stone), Mia Locks (senior curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles)

Rebels With a Cause (2019)

March 10, 2019 marked the momentous culmination of social justice initiatives, street style fashion, unadulterated creativity, and empowerment for everyone involved with the Rebels With A Cause fashion show. Street style fashion - bold, unapologetic styles and designs inspired by urban fashion from around the world - provided inspiration to student designers who created show-stopping, runway worthy looks. The event included musical performances, silent and live auctions, and wonderful food vendors from all across Los Angeles to make the show so captivating and memorable. 

Guest judges: Alison Edmond (executive creative and fashion director, Creator of C Magazine), Lauren Elizabeth (influencer, actress, and founder and creator of The Lauren Elizabeth collection), and Sam Saboura (celebrity stylist, author, editor and host of TLC)

Iconic American Women through the Decades (2017)

The evening of March 19th celebrated the accomplishments of women past and present. American female icons provided inspiration to the student designers who executed their visions through creating looks to walk the runway.   The event included musical performances, silent and live auctions, a boutique of Los Angeles vendors, and a fashion show showcasing designs inspired by American women of the 20th century.

Guest judges: Gina Rodriguez (Golden Globe winning actress from Jane the Virgin), Tamara Mellon (co-founder of Jimmy Choo and CEO of her own label), and Erin Foster (comedy writer and actress of VH1s Barely Famous)

 Paris Spring Summer Fashion Week (2015)

On March 1st 2015, Violets' Giving Circle hosted a fashion show at the Ebell on Wilshire inspired by Paris Spring/Summer Fashion Week 2015. Girls from Marlborough as well as guest designers contributed to a fun night filled with a silent and live auction, entertainment from musicians Gwen Snyder (from the class on 2016), Josiah Hawley, and Ryan Beatty.

Guest judges: Adrienne Bailon (talk show host for The Real and former Disney Cheetah Girl),  Lawrence Zarian (lifestyle and fashion expert), and Ethan Peck (actor from 10 Things I Hate About You and Gossip Girl)

 

Fashion through Music (2013)

In March 2013, Violets' Giving Circle (formerly MSCF) celebrated music with a music inspired fashion show at the Avalon theatre in Hollywood. From Punk to Country, student designers were inspired to create looks that captured the power of music in fashion. The event included a silent auction and musical performances by Max Schneider, singer-songwriter and star in Nickelodeon show "How to Rock," and Marlborough student Nicki Black '13.

Guest judges: Dave Franco (actor from Scrubs, 21 Jump Street, and Nerve), Brad Gorezki (celebrity fashion stylist and television personality), George Kasinoplais, and Anna O’Reilly (actress from The Help)

 

Breakfast at Tiffany's (2012)

On March 11th 2012, Violets' Giving Circle (formerly MSCF) presented an exclusive screening of "Breakfast at Tiffany's" at the Harmony Gold Preview House. The evening included live and silent auctions as well as breakfast for dinner to accompany the screening. Live and silent auctions included pearl necklaces, exclusive parking spots, vacation opportunities, and Hunger Games tickets.

 

Decked Out through the Decades (2011)

On March 13th 2011, Violets' Giving Circle (formerly MSCF) hosted a fashion show themed "Decked Out Through the Decades" at the Ebell on Wilshire. With inspiration ranging from the Roaring 20s to the millennium, the show highlighted the best of fashion throughout history with student designed and modeled looks.

Guest Judges: Julie Bowen (actress from Modern Family), Calista Flockhart (Golden Globe Award Winning Actress), Monique Lhullier (fashion designer and creative director for her own brand), and Molly Quinn (actress known for role in ABC's Castle)

 

An International Affair (2010)

In 2010, the Marlborough community joined Violets' Giving Circle (formerly MSCF) for a cultural tour "Around the World." The evening included performances from professional dancers and musicians ranging from African drummers to Latin American Folkloric dancers provided entertainment for the entire community. Students participated by designing and modeling outfits influenced by a specific country. Silent and live auction items included vacation opportunities, brunches and dinners at LA’s best restaurants, and tickets to Disneyland and a variety of concerts.

Guest Judges: Brittny and Lisa Gastineau (model and actress), Jule Morgan (make-up artist),  and Robin Weiner (designer for Joie and Splendid).


ECOuture (2009)

In 2009, Violets' Giving Circle (formerly MSCF) helped to increase awareness of environmental sustainability and therefore by hosting a "green" fashion show at the Wilshire Ebell. Students created unique designs using renewable materials including tape and newspaper. Celebrities in attendance included actress/model and Marlborough Alumni Camilla Belle '05, and judges included Project Runway's Season 4 contestant Kathleen Vaughn, also known as Sweet P, among others. Silent auction items included everything from fine jewelry to dinner with Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Guest Judges: Camilla Belle (actress ), Gregory Parkinson (fashion designer), Jane Ross (Fashion Editor and stylist), Kathleen Vaughn aka “Sweet P” (Project Runway season 4 contestant), and Jacob Zachar (actor),

 

Putting on the Ritz (2008)

In 2008, Violets’ Giving Circle (formerly MSCF) highlighted our communities greatest talents with a “Puttin' on the Ritz” Talent Show held at the Ebell on Wilshire. The evening included student performances ranging from dancing to stand up comedy, and live and silent auctions.

Guest Judges: Camilla Belle (actress and Marlborough alum), Jamie Lee Curtis (actress and author), Annie Gilbar (founding creator of InStyle Magazine), Andrea Gonzalo (designer on Project Runway Season 2), and Barbara Schneeweiss (producer of Project Runway)